Nicole Pyles, blogger for World of My Imagination is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

26 April 2013

A few months ago, probably around November, I discovered a new online question and answer contest, Crowdini.com.

Oh my God, for anyone who has twenty seconds to spare, this is a game you must play.

It's pretty simple actually. You enter the game and you are part of a group of people answering a question.

You answer just one question a day and you find out the next day if you get to the next round. You advance in the contest, if you have answered in the majority.

By the end of the game, if you are the only one left - you win a prize!

It's will be the most addictive 20 seconds of your life.

The questions are often times both simple and difficult at the same time. They can leave you laughing and leave you wondering...how the heck do I choose just one??
Here's an example of today's game -

Most of all, the game leaves you wanting more and you are excited to return to the game the next day.

What I like about the site is that it provides stats on users who have won, how long the game lasted, etc. It will also show you the the contests you've entered and not to mention, if you are curious about how come you didn't advance and the results of your contests, the site shows you what the majority answers were for the game you played.

And now for the fun part!! I get to give one of my readers a $10 Amazon Gift Card! All you have to do is go to Crowdini.com, sign up, come back and let me know what you think of the site. In your comment, you must provide your Crowdini user name to for your entry to be valid.Contest ends on May 6th.CONTEST WINNER: The username sohamolina is the winner and has been contacted. Thank you for entering everyone!

Disclosure: In the interest of full disclosure, I have received compensation for this post. In addition, I also run the Twitter account for the site, and I have not played the Crowdini.com game since hired. The opinions in the post are my own.

25 April 2013

Okay, I have a fascination and love for libraries (and bookstores). I happen to be near one of the largest independent bookstores in the United States (yay Powell's Books!).

And now I'm spoiled.I want more. More. MORE.

So, I went in search of some library porn. No, not an erotic novel. But amazing, beautiful libraries that I want to visit one day. I don't have a lot of money to travel right now, so I may as well put that rumored library on Mars on my list (hey, we have no real proof that there ISN'T a library on Mars - so why not just believe that there is?).

Can't you guys just see me descending down that unbelievable staircase with an exotic gown with a long trail and white doves flying in back of me like some goddess...sorry, right, the books.

It is technically a bookstore, but it's considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It's located in Portugal and has been open since 1906.

2) Shakespeare and Company
Okay, also not a library - but how can I not visit a bookstore created after ANOTHER bookstore (now closed down) where famous writers such as Ernest Hemingway visited (the original closed down during German's occupation of Paris and never reopened).

To me, this is bookstore heaven. I known it looks cramped, but I love that style. I could spend hours - HOURS - browsing/buying/maxing out my credit cards - in this place.3) The Willard Library
I want to visit this library - not for it's architecture or it's connection to a famous writer - this library is haunted.

YES and there is even a website you can go to where this a Ghost Cam. You can see if you spot the ghost.
I know where I'll be going first if I win the lottery tonight. Heh heh.

4) Stockholm Library
There are two reasons I want to visit this library. First of all, it's gorgeous inside. It reminds me of that scene in Disney's Beauty and the Beast where the Beast shows Belle his library. This looks like that library -

There is a second reason I want to visit this library. Some time ago, the Architecture School of Paris designed this "wall of knowledge" -

Unfortunately, it doesn't exist. But this should be built - although I'm fairly certain I'd have to cling to someone as I walk across a walkway to get to the actual books because I'd fear I would fall to my death.

24 April 2013

I have been exhausted lately - like literally, exhausted. Between the high levels of stress in my life right now (my mom lost her job recently) and the fact that I'm not getting enough sleep...my eyes hurt I'm so tired these days. But here's hoping the week ends with a creative kick! Hope this writing prompt inspires you today! Tena is writing today's post!

YEAH It's my turn this week to take the WWBH wheel (I so wanted to say reigns but I've been using "wheel" so I'll stick with that).

It's been a crazy few months for me. as I've mentioned in several of my blogposts, we recently moved from Texas to Arizona. Had quite an adventure on the trip (you know I still don't think I ever wrote on that trip).

Since I was driving one of the vehicles on the our move here, I did not have too many opportunities to really get any good photos. Most of the time when we stopped it was to take care of something gas, food, etc or stopping for the night (by which point we were both pretty well exhausted). I figured that this picture taken on the one that we took during our pre-move trip (what do you call it when your checking a new place out to see if you would want to live there?) back in December of last year would be fitting.

As for the words, I know I could go online and find something that gives me random words, but I just used the dictionary and the old close eyes and point - that's the word (times 5) that I will use. I do not pre-plan in anyway the words I choose... Whatever 5 words I point at, that's what goes in - HONEST!!

So this weeks words are:

Letterhead

Quantity

Construction

Huff

Crock

You've got about a week to write your story and submit it below (see the blue froggy) 500 words or less using the 5 words and based on the photo above.... Can't wait to see what you all got. so get those creative juices and may the MUSE be with you.

23 April 2013

I don't care how old you are, there is nothing like a big, brand new box of crayons. And to me, Crayola is the household name for crayons.Not to mention, the utter nostalgia associated with that brand.

For me, I remember so many afternoon's spent drawing pictures, coloring them in, looking for the Macaroni and Cheese color, trying to think of ways to use the Midnight Blue crayon and trying to balance all the broken pieces carefully into their place in the crayon box.

Way back in Kindergarten, I remember this kid used to go around to all the tables and take all the gold and silver crayons (remember how important that used to be??).

Plus, when I was growing up, I used to have this big huge Crayola (homemade) poster on my wall. I had that for years until I donated it to Goodwill as a teenager.

For me, Crayola crayon is a huge part of growing up. And what better way to celebrate their 110th birthday, by going to their birthday bash?

Okay, no, I'm not invited. Yet. They are hosting a contest over on their Facebook page, for you to enter to win four tickets to their birthday bash! If you win, you will get experience their interactive exhibits and fun attractions - oh my God, I am feeling giddy. Are you giddy? I'm giddy.

You will get a three night stay, all expenses paid trip to experience their celebration on May 24th!

So, make sure you go by the Facebook page to enter - you will make everyone (including me) totally jealous if you win.

Disclaimer: Crayola provided me with the necessary information for this post.

You guys know how I love to be creative and I love the opportunity to use unique things to explore my creative self.

So, when I had the chance to review the Inventio-HD Video Sunglasses by SpyTec, I thought a few things. First - Ohmahgawd, I get to be a spy girl. Second - I'm fairly certain I can find something really awesome to film with these. Third - how would I explain wearing these indoors and would they look good on me?

Anyways, here's what the sunglasses look like in the box. There's a little yellow button on the side that you push to record. Very chic and obscure. I felt like I was in touch with my inner Charlie's Angel.

What to Know First
These sunglasses film in fifteen minute increments. You can always keep filming if you want a lengthier period, but just know it will be in fifteen minute sections.

The glasses film in an slight upwards direction. So, wear them a bit lower on your face, if you want a certain direct, straight forward angle.

And What to Know While Filming
If you happen to be moving while you are recording, I have learned that these sunglasses really capture - and somewhat exaggerate, it seems - your movement. I found the filming went best if I was filming something moving in front of me, rather than filming how I was moving, if that makes sense.

These sunglasses work better when you are filming with a lot of light, whether it's natural or lamp lighting. It can capture darker scenes, just know that it may not be as visible as you'd like to see.

Overall...
The sunglasses had amazing picture quality and captured each and every color I saw and enhanced it. It was incredible. I was extremely impressed.

And now, what did I end up filming?

Well, that's the fun part. I take the bus home and there is a scene that I absolutely love right outside my window - it's all these beautiful trees and I'm lucky enough to get on the bus early so I can get a window seat. This is perfect for when I want to daydream or just drift or when I want to dwell on a story idea.

I added music to one of my favorite songs (and the lyrics) , "Catch the Wind" by Donovan, to enhance the experience. Hope you enjoy!

I had so much fun making this!

These sunglasses are definitely worth buying if you are an outdoorsy type (or just want to get in touch with your inner James (or Jane) Bond). Make sure you check them out here!

Disclaimer: I received these sunglasses in exchange for my honest review.

21 April 2013

I love helping out with giveaways, especially because giveaways are a fun past time of mine! This one is for a new candle company that creates candles based on this awesome (and often times funny) "Keep Calm" phrases! It definitely caught m

Welcome to the Keep Calm Candles Giveaway Event

Do you enjoy treating yourself to a nice smelling candle? How about candles that not only smell great but can easily be cute room decorations? If so, we think you will enjoy Keep Calm Candles. These candles were designed around the concept of the 'Keep Calm' meme and feature some of the cutest sayings that just about any woman would enjoy. Not only do these luxurious soy candles have the cutest sayings, but they can also be customized, allowing you to make the perfect candle to match your room decor so you can display it just about anywhere.

While we all love the concept of having beautiful and cute decorations in our home, we also want high quality products. With Keep Calm Candles, you get just that - high quality candles made right here in the United States. Each of their candles is hand poured using quality soy wax and high end fragrances that smell absolutely amazing. What also makes them unique compared to their competition is the fact you can actually choose which fragrance you want in your candle, allowing you to have your favorite keep calm saying with the fragrances you know and love. Their current fragrances include:

Apple Spice

Banana Cream Pie

Blackberry Sage

Blueberry Muffin

Bottle of Wine

Buttery Popcorn

Caramel Apple

French Vanilla

Fresh Cut Grass

Fresh Leather

Fresh Strawberries

Gummy Bears

Jelly Beans

Lemon Drops

Mulberry

Peaches And Cream

Pina Colada

Pineapple Jasmine

Pumpkin Spice

Strawberry Shortcake

Tangerine And Lemongrass

Unscent

Vanilla Lavender

Watermelon Kiwi

White Tea And Ginger

Want to know where you can purchase one of these adorable candles? While Keep Calm Candles hasn't officially launched yet, they are offering our readers a chance to try out their candles for free with this awesome giveaway. Two of our readers will win one of their amazing candles - which retail for $28 a candle or $38 if you decide to design one of your own Keep Calm Candles!

If you can't wait to try out one of these candles, Keep Calm Candles will be open for business by the end of April. To learn more about these amazing candles and all of their customization options, check out Keep Calm Candles Website.

Ready to enter this giveaway? Make sure to read all the rules below before entering the Rafflecopter. Good luck everyone!

Keep Calm Candles Giveaway Event

2 Readers will receive a Keep Calm Candle.

Open to US Only

Winner will be chosen at random through Rafflecopter via Random.org.

Giveaway ends May 12th at 11:59pm.

Winner will be notified through email.

Winner will have 48 hours to respond before new winner is chosen.

Must be 18 Years or Older to Enter Rafflecopter.

Entering the Rafflecopter Means You Agree to Terms Above.

Good Luck!

Disclosure: World of My Imagination did not receive compensation for this giveaway. Facebook, Twitter, & Pinterest are in no way associated with this giveaway. Prize fulfillment and shipping will be handled by Keep Calm Candles.

17 April 2013

Okay I cheated a little bit. Three letters in one post is pretty impressive, though, right? Well, I had a horrid Monday. Not to mention that awful news on the East Coast. Oh well, 2013 is bound to perk up right? I hope so. I think we all deserve it. Anyways, I am a tad disappointed I didn't manage to get the writing prompt from last week, but maybe I'll try to get one out this week.

Outraged and Devastated

Leanne Sype suggested the prompt we put together this week be in honor of Boston. To be honest, I loved the idea, but I was not going to do it because everything I read made me cry and I didn't think I could do it. Until I saw this.

It corresponds with what I read a few days ago, a quote by Fred Rogers that says, "When I was a boy and would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'"

So, I will put together a post with that in mind. I have found a lovely photo, though I believe it was taken before the bombings, it is open to many interpretations, not just for the marathon.

But first, some happier news. We have chosen the winner of our $25 Amazon Gift Card. Congratulations to

We are so thankful to each person who participates in our weekly prompt. Please keep coming back, or write for the first time! We welcome everyone and can't wait to read all the stories like the ones from last week.

13 April 2013

For over six months or more, I have been using Listia. I discovered it last year and I've been using it actively ever since.

What I like the most about this site is that it's like going into a garage sale and bidding on the items you want the most. Most of it used stuff, but you don't end up paying a dime if you win - at the most you'll pay shipping. Plus, you can gain more points by putting your own stuff for bidding (or pay for points $5.00 gives you 1,500 credits).

I won the movie Mr. Books for 500 credits, no shipping costs. Worked perfectly.

﻿﻿﻿﻿

I won the movie Red Eye for only 606 credits, no shipping costs. Worked perfectly!

I won these three movies for only 20 credits, shipping $5.99. Worked perfectly!

Stir of Echoes video for 25 credits, $6.00 shipping - worked great!

﻿

And that is just the beginning! More recently I won these really pretty wine glasses (499 credits; $3.70 in shipping) and a used DVD player (2,020 credits; $10 shipping) just for the cost of shipping (and I purchased additional credits recently - one $5.00 worth; and one $10 worth of credits).

I think if you are looking for an item in particular, you would do best with this site. Looking around for just anything, you will get overwhelmed, I promise.

It isn't like there isn't crap out there either. I won a "mystery" prize which turned out to be an envelope with a couple of stickers in it. I also won a sync cord for my iPhone which fell apart in a couple of weeks. I also tried entering a few of the low credit perfume sample giveaways which had astronomical shipping costs, and I didn't follow through with them.

But I seriously think it's worth a shot, so sign up for Listia today! Use this referral link and get 100 credits (and I get credits if you sign up!).

11 April 2013

But I was struggling a lot with the letter 'j." I couldn't think of a single thing to write about...jumpy? joy? jittery? What the heck can you write about with the letter 'j'?

Until I browsed my YouTube channel and found a short film called, "J'Attendrai Le Suivant." (In English - I'll Wait for the Next One." It does have English subtitles, but I watched this short film in my third semester French class and I think it was a lesson on using the 'future tense' or something.

Most of the language instruction didn't stay with me, but this little clip did. I hate, hate how much I can relate to this.

Watch this and be horrified with me.

Now, the biggest question is - would you have gotten off the train? Or would you have stayed put?

I know my answer. And I would have acted like I had stepped off the train on purpose. Ha.

WOW! It is amazing - we have reached the one year anniversary of Writer Wednesday Blog Hop.

Can you believe it has been one year??
I'm so happy to have come this far with this writing prompt. Most of all I'm just amazed and grateful that everyone has stuck through this whole year and has been devoted, creative, and inspirational.

A special thank you to my fabulous blog hop hosts - Tena, Leanne, and especially Carrie, who has been with me since the start. Plus, a HUGE thank you to all the writers who show off their creative skills week after week and continue to take part in this prompt.

Before we get to the good stuff, I want to show off the entries from last week's prompt...

Okay, well, today is a special edition of the writing prompt, because we have an extra special thing going on -
each entrant that has participated in the writing prompt this past year is eligible for our anniversary giveaway of $25.00 Amazon Gift Card!

And there is still a chance to throw your hat in the ring, because everyone who submits a writing prompt for this week's prompt, will be eligible to win, too.
I'm so excited!

Now, for old times sake, we will be using the same prompt from last year. I want to see what everyone can come up with.

For about ten years, give or take, I have been drinking soy milk! The weird thing is it has nothing to do with me being lactose intolerant or being on some diet. I just like the taste better.
One of my favorite brands, that I have purchased faithfully all this time ­ is Silk! From their Very Vanilla, to their Chocolate Soy, to their Soy Egg Nog during the holiday season to the soy creamer, they have been a staple when I wake up in the morning, have lunch, and before I go to bed.

So, I couldn't wait to try one of their new flavor ­Silk Iced Latte! This is the great breakfast treat for me. This also has the tastiest flavor. I personally enjoyed the Mocha flavor best, because it was a chocolate­y taste. Plus, this definitely is a waker upper (is that a word?) for me. It perked me up for the rest of the day (so definitely not my late night beverage, that's for sure!).

And here we have the finale ­ my special clever way of describing the taste ­
"Soy Silk is a burst of flavor, energy, and fun all into one ­ while my taste buds dance and sing, I take another sip of my Latte drink."

With that said. I highly recommend listening to this playlist I put together special for the Soy Silk Latte experience ­ I think you’ll enjoy it! (Keep an eye out for one of my own little video poetry’s that I created some time ago! I thought it was perfect for this list!)

Enough out of me. Use the coupon. Taste Silk. Be original and describe that heavenly taste in your own words. Your comment will be entered to win a year’s supply of Silk! Sweepstakes Rules.)

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.

09 April 2013

In my defense, I was up late working on something last night and completely forgot to write something for G.

This might be cheating, but today's post is for the letter G and the letter H.

I'll use today's post to a general life update and ask how you are doing!

On a positive note, I am doing well with a new story idea (remember - I'm very superstitious and it is not a novel until I'm done), and I reached the end of Chapter 2 last night! Plus, I'm starting to enjoy typing my story out on the bus onto my cell phone, oddly enough.

I also will take breaks during the work day and scribble out the continuing story line. So, my story is coming together in piece parts. I think the key to doing this - if you are doing this - is to make sure you are typing up what you've written (or copying and pasting) onto a document that is sort of the "home base" document for everything.

I am also looking forward to book 3 in one of my favorite series - The Unwind Series. If you are a fan, book 3 is coming out in October of this year, and I can't wait! (You can preorder on Amazon, too).

The downside is - my fantasy novel editing has been cut back significantly. I think I need a break from it for a while. At least until April is over and a few projects that I'm still working on are completed this month. I still feel bad though and really don't want to let that novel get dusty in a drawer somewhere.

05 April 2013

I'm terrible at this, aren't I? But it isn't midnight yet, and that means I am not quite late for today's letter!

Today I had more energy to write than I usually do! And I can't quite figure out why. but I thought I'd go over what you can do to energize yourself to write.

1) Change Your Location

I think writing somewhere new can give you a brand new perspective and focus. This is what I've done the past few days and it makes me feel so much better. I feel like I'm taking a fresh look.

2) Use a new writing tool.

No, not a new software. Not a new pen...well, maybe a new pen. But trying writing with something new. If you handwrite your drafts, type. If you type, handwrite. Use your cell phone, notepad, back of a bill. Write out your stories somewhere new and you may be surprise how it changes.

3) Start a new idea.

If you have a "back burner" story, and have been putting it off, bring it to the front and start outlining it or just start writing, I feel like sometimes it's time to try something new.

4) Get competitive.

Find your best writing friend and figure out how far along they are in their novel. If they are further along, use this as an opportunity o beat them and get further ahead in yours. And yes, that may be childish.

5) Write during a new time of day.

I'm big on changing things to energize your writing. Try writing during a new time of day. I think we get so bogged down in our habits that we forget that changing things can do wonders for our creative spirit.

04 April 2013

Are you still awake??
So let's talk nightly rituals. Those funky things you must do before you go to bed - and if you don't, you can't really fall asleep the whole night.

1) Get the coffee ready for the morning - and double check multiple times.

I set the coffee for the morning. And I check the time. And I check the time. Oh, and I check the time. This is a massive quirky obsession for me. I have actually set the time wrong and in the middle of the night I'll smell the coffee go off and I end up racing awake to turn the coffee off. Then I end up never falling asleep because the smell of coffee can keep me awake.

So, this is a ritual I must do before bed. Must.

2) Flossing and washing my face.

I never used to worry about washing my face, but I realized I get fewer skin issues - break outs, flaking etc. when I wash my face. I also floss every night. It's a habit for me now as I floss as I watch television.

Even when it's summer, I bring a sweatshirt to bed with me. It's a weird quirk, but I feel funny when I don't have one nearby. This is very similar to my need to sleep with socks on. Even if in two seconds, I take them off, I don't like not having them with me when I first go to sleep.

4) Get the last word in on texts.

If I'm in the middle of texting someone, I can't let them have the last word in. Even if I respond and immediately turn my phone off, I need to believe I've been the last person to text.

I try not to let this 'get the last word in' bleed into the arguments I find myself involved in.

5) Put Vaseline on my lips.

Okay, I don't like flavored lip gloss or flavored chap stick before bed. If I put that type of stuff on, I would never fall asleep. But this is another thing I must do before bed, otherwise I'm up all night licking dry lips and I'll end up with flaky lip skin which is really nasty.

What are your nightly rituals? What are the 'must do' things before you go to bed?

I've decided to take a random approach to the A to Z Challenge this year, because it's my first year doing it and I don't want to get too stressed by having a central theme.

So, today is the letter 'b' and I want to talk about the [b]est movie crying scenes that I have ever seen. When I'm at work, one of my favorite things to listen to at work is movie scenes! I don't exactly put on crying scenes all the time, because I think I'd be sobbing at work all the time and that just wouldn't be cool. But on occasion, I'll play a few clips in the background and I've compiled quite a few that are my favorites.

Here is my top five favorite crying scenes in a movie -

1. Steel Magnolias -
This is one of those scenes that you watch for a good cry. My mom and I have seen this movie more than I can count and every single time we watch this scene we cry. Even if we're just watching this clip on YouTube, we cry. And then we laugh. And how perfect is that?

2. Bridges of Madison County -
I love this movie so much, because it represents how difficult certain decisions can be, especially when it comes to love and things of the heart. I watched this movie again recently and wow, did I cry.

3. As Good as It Gets
I think this is one of those most overlooked crying scenes. It isn't Steel Magnolias, but if I recall correctly, Helen Hunt did win an award for her performance in this movie. I think sometimes when you have been released from the "panic" mode of trauma and hard times and get a glimpse of all that has happened, you begin to feel just as she is feeling right in this scene. Very well done.

4. Good Will Hunting
I love being able to add the crying scene from a male actor on this list. I don't think we see that enough. Men, get your tissue boxes and cry a tear for me here, okay? Because this scene is incredible and makes me cry every time.

5. Pursuit of Happyness
Okay, this isn't a full on crying scene, but this gives me tears to my eyes every time I watch it. It's the feeling of triumph and you are just cheering this character on the whole time to make it - and he does.

What is your "best " crying scene in a movie to watch? What movie always makes you cry no matter what?

01 April 2013

After long consideration, I've decided to remove my blog World of My Imagination. While it's been an amazing journey and I've loved getting to know all of you, I think it's time that I refocus my attention on other areas of my life.

Don't be sad too long, as I'm sure we will come across each other's paths one day.Oh and one last thing to tell you before I go...

Boo-yow, people!!!! Did I fool you???? I've always wanted to take part in this holiday in some fashion...

And if you haven't caught on, I'm also taking part in the A to Z Challenge - I didn't last year and that was a massive - massive - mistake. Today was the letter "A" -

This will be so much fun.So, what is your favorite April Fool's Day gag that you've played on someone? Have you ever been the victim of an April Fool's Day joke?